Roy S. Long, 83

Roy S. Long, 83, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at the Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, N.C., following intestinal surgery. 

Prior to being admitted into the Medical Center, he had been residing in the North Carolina State Veterans Home, also located in Salisbury since June 6, 2011.

He was born in Whitefish on Nov. 7, 1929, to Tom and Marcia Long. He attended Whitefish High School and worked the summers for the National Forest Service fighting fires.

Roy enlisted with the Army Air Corps in December 1946, being stationed in Japan and then the Philippine Islands. Upon being discharged in October 1949, Roy started working for the Great Northern Railway as a brakeman, following in his father's railroading footsteps. He then enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in June 1952. While with the Air Force, he was stationed in London until being discharged in December 1954.  

After his discharge Roy returned to working for the Great Northern Railway, along with his two older brothers, Dave and Jim. He continued working for the Great Northern Railroad until it merged with the Burlington and Northern Pacific, forming the Burlington Northern Railroad. He retired in 1992 after 38 years of railroading service as an conductor.

Roy always enjoyed most outdoor actives, especially fly fishing, camping and gathering firewood in the fall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Marcia Long; brothers, Dave and Jim; and sister, Ann Babcock.

Roy is survived by his wife, Lucille Mero Long; daughter, Rachel F. Wheeler, of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; stepsons, Donald L. Correll Jr., of West End, N.C., and Steven A. Correll of Golden, Colo.; also three grandsons.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside services and rites will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, at the National VA Cemetery located in Salisbury, N.C.

Funeral arrangements are by Summersett Funeral Home of Salisbury, along with the VA Administration.